Prolonged standing at work can lead to ongoing strain on the feet, toes, and ankles, especially when movement is limited. Occupations that require standing in one place for extended periods, such as retail, restaurant, or medical roles, can increase the risk of heel pain, arch fatigue, swollen feet, and joint stiffness. Standing for long periods at work causes pressure to build in the lower limbs, which can affect circulation and muscle function. Foot pain is often worsened by shoes that lack proper support and high heels, which can add extra stress to the forefoot and toes. Over time, this may contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis, bunions, or tendon inflammation. A podiatrist can assess foot structure and gait to determine how prolonged standing is affecting your feet. Treatment may include recommendations for better footwear, the use of custom orthotics to improve foot support, and, in severe cases, surgery to correct structural damage. If you have foot pain from standing at work for long periods of time, it is suggested that you schedule  an appointment with a podiatrist.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Patricia Mcilrath, DPM from Health One Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Reading and Rittenhouse, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A sudden rupture of the achilles tendon is a serious injury that can sometimes be linked to an ankle fracture. The achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and helps with walking, running, and jumping. When it tears, the force involved can be strong enough to stress the surrounding bones and joints. In certain cases, this trauma may cause small fractures near the ankle, especially if the foot is planted or twisted during the injury. Pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty in walking are common signs of both injuries. Because the symptoms can overlap, imaging is often needed to confirm a fracture. Healing from both a rupture and a fracture may involve immobilization, targeted exercises, or surgery. If you experience a sudden pop in your heel followed by severe pain or swelling, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact Patricia Mcilrath, DPM of Health One Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?

There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.

Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms

• Inflammation
• Dull to severe pain
• Increased blood flow to the tendon
• Thickening of the tendon

Rupture Symptoms

• Extreme pain and swelling in the foot
• Total immobility

Treatment and Prevention

Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:

• Thorough stretching of the tendon before and after exercise
• Strengthening exercises like calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and leg presses

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Reading and Rittenhouse, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

A bump on the bottom of the foot can be caused by several common conditions, including plantar warts, calluses, or a plantar fibroma. Each has distinct causes and symptoms. Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV, and often appear as rough, grainy growths with tiny black dots. They may be painful when walking. Plantar calluses are thickened areas of skin that develop from repeated pressure or friction, and are typically painless unless they become very thick. A plantar fibroma is a firm, fibrous lump in the arch of the foot caused by a benign tissue growth in the plantar fascia, which may cause discomfort when walking or standing. A podiatrist can examine the bump and determine the exact cause. Treatments vary and may include cryotherapy, trimming thickened skin, orthotics, targeted exercises, or minor surgery, for fibromas. If you have a painful bump on the bottom of your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Patricia Mcilrath, DPM from Health One Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Reading and Rittenhouse, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.